Addicted to novelty since 2001

Textual Tattoos

March 9, 05

Ever since I saw Dominic Monaghan’s bicep, I’ve been interested in word and phrase tattoos. That is, tattoos comprised mostly or entirely of English words and sentences.

I don’t have tattoos. I do think that getting a word or phrase takes more courage than getting a bird, maple leaf or kanji character. A hummingbird can represent love or speed or freedom or whatever, but “Yo Mamma” on your inner thigh is far less ambiguous.

I went looking for a site dedicated to textual tattoos. My 40 second search came up empty, so I turned to Flickr. After the jump, you can see my growing list of word and phrase tattoos. If you’ve got one, know of such a repository, spotted a photo of one on the Web or otherwise have something to contribute, leave a comment or email me at darren at darrenbarefoot fullstop com. I’m not interested in Asian characters–there’s a great blog for them already.

Mike writes with his tattoo, which reads “bruises”. It’s part of the Shelley Jackson Skin project.

I think my favourite, in terms of a selection of text, is the line from Milan Kundera. It’s a lovely sentiment and esoteric. Having collected these, I’ve realized an advantage of getting a textual tattoo–you can improve your odds of having a truly unique piece of body art.

Donna, who has a Gaelic word tattooed on her back, points to a photo gallery I couldn’t find. You can look at the first 150 images for free–apparently people are willing to pay for photos of tattoos.

Jo writes with this impressive, lengthy textual tattoo, which reads: “There are two sorts of curiosity — the momentary and the permanent. The momentary is concerned with the odd appearance on the surface of things. The permanent is attracted by the amazing and consecutive life that flows on beneath the surface of things.–Robert Lynd”.

Kymberlie writes with this tattoo, that quotes a poem by Rilke: “and in the ponds broken off from the sky, my feeling sinks as if standing on fishes”.

106 Responses to “Textual Tattoos”

[…] topic more thinly. There are obviously plenty of blogs about tattoos out there. Recently (thanks to my popular old post about textual tattoos) I got an email from Jen who’s started a blog only on literary tattoos. If she keeps it up, […]

i like your idea for the latin tattoo – i was actually going to get it myself, however i did some research and spoke to a latin prof and have since found that it would be more correct to have “per ardua ad astra” – through adversity to the stars, rather than the aspera version….just to let you know :-)

Nick Reply:December 19th, 2010 at 10:15 pm

Ardua = Steep

Aspera = Rough

So, “Per Aspera Ad Astra” would be more correct.

It’s actually the motto to many Air Force’s around the world including the British Royal Air Force.

With the same sword they knight you,
they gon’ good night you with
Shit, that’s only half if they like you
That ain’t even the half what they might do
Don’t believe me, ask Michael
See Lucas? See Puda? See Martin? See Malcolm?
See Biggie? See Pac? See success and its outcome
See Jesus, see Judas
See Caesar, see Brutus, see success is like suicide
Suicide, it’s a suicide
If you succeed, prepare to be crucified.
Is to have had and lost
Better than not having at all?

â€œevery being is the author of his own health or diseaseâ€. ~ while misquoted, is generally attributed to Buddha. The actual quote is “Every human being is the author of his own health or disease,” and Google’s quite well.

I have two textual tattoos. The first is on the top of my right foot and says “I know I haven’t changed, but I know I’m not the same.” The second is on my left ankle and says “Alive or just breathing.”

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sunshine warm upon your face
May the rain fall soft upon your fields

Jennifer Reply:June 14th, 2009 at 9:50 pm

I have the words ‘i’d defy gravity’ on my left forearm.
it’s from the song Back to You by Something For Kate and the lyric is ‘i defy gravity just to get myself back to you’. It doesn’t refer to anyone i know, it’s just the concept of being so passionate about someone you’d do the impossible to be with them.

I’m having a tattoo done in greek .. ÎºÎ¬Î½Ï‰ ÏŒÏ‡Î¹ ÎºÎ¿Î¹Ï„Î¬Î¶Ï‰ Ï€Î»Î¬Ï„Î· Î¼Î­ÏƒÎ± Î¸Ï…Î¼ÏŒÏ‚ .. which translates to dont look back in anger. I’m not sure where abouts to have it though, any suggestions??

George ploumis Reply:March 9th, 2010 at 7:50 am

Have someone who knows how to speak Greek well help you translate that phrase better,because although the words are a direct translation there is a more proper way to say that phrase.

sophia Reply:April 6th, 2010 at 11:54 am

It’s not right the translation. In greek you must write ”Î¼Î·Î½ Î³Ï…ÏÎ¹Î¶ÎµÎ¹Ï‚ Ï€Î¯ÏƒÏ‰ ÏƒÏ„Î¿Î½ Î¸Ï…Î¼ÏŒ”
I’m greek, if you need something just ask..

I’m planning to get “To the Phoenix and the Dove, co-supremes and stars of love.” tattooed on my back. Its a line from an untitled Shakespearean piece. I have to wait 4 more months though, until I’m eighteen.

I have “Stronger than you think I am” around my right ankle. It’s my favourite tattoo because it’s my inspiration to push myself harder and a daily reminder that whatever life throws at me, I can handle it. I placed it so that “Stronger” is on the inside of my ankle, the word that I see most easily.

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Getting my first tattoo day after tomorrow. Lyric from the song “You’ve got to learn” and the lyric is “At times your head must rule your heart” Im getting it right below my collarbone. it was a song that was redone by Nina Simone, my favorite artist. I grew up listening to her and I think it’s a important lesson to learn.

I had the word “compassion” written in Sanskrit tattooed on my forearm after someone very close to me passed away. He used to always tell me, “Not only must you have compassion for others but you must also have compassion for yourself.” Every time I look at my arm I am reminded of how lucky I am to have had this person in my life. I will be forever grateful.

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